Cooling Device for a Vehicle

ABSTRACT

A cooling device for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle has a current-generating component that is embodied as a thermoelectric generator and has a side facing a cooling stream passing through the cooling device. The cooling stream dissipates heat generated by an operating unit of the motor vehicle. The cooling device is embodied as a vehicle radiator. The current-generating component is integrated into the vehicle radiator. The current-generating component and a cooling web of the vehicle radiator form a common assembly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Federal Republic of Germany patentapplication no. 102009058156.1-13, filed Dec. 15, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a cooling device for an internal combustionengine, in particular of a motor vehicle, comprising acurrent-generating component embodied as a thermoelectric generatorhaving one side facing a cooling stream passing through the coolingdevice wherein the cooling stream of the cooling device dissipates heatfrom an operative unit of the vehicle.

DE 10 2007 011 954 A1 discloses a radiator of a motor vehicle thatdissipates the operating heat of the internal combustion engine of thevehicle. A so-called Seebeck element that is a thermoelectric componentthat produces an electric potential when a temperature differentialexists is arranged on the radiator. The radiator disclosed in DE 10 2007011 954 A1 is operated with a cooling medium whose heat is not directlypassed into the surrounding ambient air but is passed to the Seebeckelement for generating an electric potential. The Seebeck element isthus a thermoelectric generator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve theefficiency of motor vehicles.

In accordance with the present invention, this is achieved in that thecooling device is embodied as a vehicle radiator and thecurrent-generating component is integrated into the vehicle radiatorwherein the current-generating component and a cooling web of thevehicle radiator together form a common assembly.

The cooling device according to the invention is used, for example, as aradiator for internal combustion engines, in particular as a radiator ofa motor vehicle, and serves for cooling one or several operating unitsor auxiliary units of motor vehicles, for example, for cooling aninternal combustion engine, for cooling the transmission or for cooling(air conditioning) the passenger compartment. A current-generatingcomponent is integrated into the vehicle radiator and is embodied as athermoelectric generator that generates, based on the Seebeck effect, anelectric potential when a temperature differential exists. Thecurrent-generating component is a part of the vehicle radiator; this, onthe one hand, has the advantage that the vehicle radiator, as a modularassembly together with the current-generating component, can beinstalled in the vehicle as a pre-manufactured part. On the other hand,in this way by means of the Seebeck effect an electric potential can begenerated independent of the heat source in the vehicle because thevehicle radiator can be used for cooling various operating units orauxiliary units of the vehicle. Therefore, an arrangement of thecurrent-generating component directly on the device that produces heatis not required.

In one example of a current generating component using the Seebeckeffect, an electric potential (voltage or thermo-electric EMF) isgenerated at the junction of two dissimilar metal or semiconductorcomponents, where the electric potential generated in generally relatedto the temperature differential existing between the two dissimilarmetal or semiconductor components. A portion of the current generatingcomponents may be electrically interconnected in series such thegenerated voltages are additive to provide a larger generated voltage. Aportion of the current generating components may be electricallyconnected in parallel such the available generated current is additive.

The temperature differential between the cooling stream of the vehicleradiator that dissipates the heat of the operating unit or auxiliaryunit of the vehicle and of the surrounding medium, particularly theambient air, to which the heat is dissipated, is utilized for generatingthe Seebeck effect. The current-generating component that functions as athermoelectric generator is arranged on a cooling web of the vehicleradiator and forms together with it a common assembly. The cooling webhas a large surface area and ensures in this way improved heatdissipation from the cooling stream to the environmental. Thecurrent-generating component is preferably positioned between thecooling stream or a cooling stream conduit and the cooling web so thatthe temperature differential between the cooling stream and thesurrounding medium is effective in an optimal way also in thecurrent-generating component so that the latter can thus develop itsbest-possible efficiency.

The current that is generated at the current-generating component ispreferably supplied to a battery of the motor vehicle; in this context,principally an immediate operation of an electric component within thevehicle is also conceivable, for example, a heat generating componentthat is based on the Peltier effect and that, for example, is utilizedfor heating temperature-sensitive components of the vehicle or forheating the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

The current-generating component and at least one cooling web in theradiator form together a common assembly; this can be realized invarious ways. For example, it is possible to manufacture the coolingwebs and the current-generating component each as separate individualparts that are to be joined to each other; in this case, thecurrent-generating component expediently is located at the exterior wallof the cooling web. In case of such a separate configuration, thecurrent-generating component, for example, is a laminate or a film thatis applied to the exterior side of the cooling web. The laminate or filmcan be applied over a large surface area of the cooling web so that thetemperature differential between the cooling stream and the cooling webcan be utilized accordingly across a large surface area.

Basically, it is also possible to join the current-generating componentand the cooling web to form a unitary component. In this case, thecurrent-generating component and the cooling web are embodied as aone-part unit, for example, in such a way that the wall of the coolingweb is formed as a current-generating component. This can be realized,for example, in such a way that the cooling web is of a three-layerconfiguration wherein the two outer layers are comprised of a lightmetal and the inner layer is comprised of a thermoelectric material. Theouter layers in the electric sense constitute ground or the negativeterminal while the inner thermoelectric layer constitutes the electricpotential or the positive terminal whose voltage is tapped and eithersupplied to the battery or used for operating a motor vehicle component.

The three-layer configuration has moreover the advantage that thetemperature differential between each one of the two outer layers andthe inner layer, respectively, can be utilized for generating apotential so that the temperature differential is effective in oppositedirections. This is conceivable particularly in embodiments in which acooling web is arranged between two cooling streams or cooling streamconduits so that at both external sides of the cooling web highertemperatures and at the inner side a lower temperature exist. Thistemperature gradient is effective relative to the current-generatingcomponent in both directions so that the efficiency is further improved.

In principle, it is also possible to have a configuration of the wall ofthe cooling web with two layers wherein preferably one layer is made oflight metal and a further layer is made of a thermoelectric material. Inthis embodiment, the temperature gradient in one direction can beutilized for generating electric potential, namely based on the hotcooling stream dissipating heat through the cooling web to thesurrounding medium at lower temperature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further advantages and expedient embodiments are disclosed in theclaims, the figure description, and the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a section of a vehicle radiator with a plurality of coolingwebs wherein the cooling webs are arranged between two cooling streamconduits, respectively, wherein on the cooling webs current-generatingcomponents are disposed that are embodied as thermoelectric generatorsfor generating an electric potential as a result of a temperaturedifferential in the current-generating components.

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the vehicle radiator in the area of severalcurrent-generating components connected to one another by a bus rail.

FIG. 2 a is an embodiment variant in which a cooling web is embodiedsimultaneously as a current-generating component.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle with a vehicleradiator arranged at the front end and embodied with current-generatingcomponents.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a current-generating component that isembodied as a laminate applied onto a support body.

FIG. 5 is a cooling web in an undulated shape with a current-generatingcomponent that is located at the base of a U-shaped wave of the coolingweb.

FIG. 6 shows that the current-generating components themselves areembodied as cooling webs and are applied in an undulated shape onto thecooling stream conduits.

In the Figures same components are identified with same referencenumerals.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The vehicle radiator 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is in particular a radiatorof a motor vehicle that is arranged in the front area of the motorvehicle. The vehicle radiator 1 comprises a plurality ofparallel-positioned cooling webs 2 between which a cooling mediumconduit 3 extends, respectively, that conducts the medium to be cooled.i.e., the cooling stream. The cooling medium is guided, coming from eachoperating unit or auxiliary unit within the vehicle, to a collector 4 ofthe vehicle radiator 1 and from here the cooling stream branches offinto each cooling stream conduit 3 between the cooling webs 2. Thecooling stream conduits 3 are in particular embodied as flat aluminumchannels.

Each cooling web 2 has correlated therewith a current-generatingcomponent 5 that functions as a thermoelectric generator and iscomprised of a material that generates, based on the so-called Seebeckeffect, an electric potential when a temperature differential ispresent. The temperature differential exists between the hot coolingstream within the cooling stream conduit 3 and the cooling webs 2. Inthis direction, a temperature drop exists which is effective in thecurrent-generating component 5 that is positioned between the coolingstream conduits 3 and the cooling webs 2. Based on the thermoelectriceffect within the current-generating component 5 an electric potentialis generated that is tapped and either supplied to a battery for storageas electric energy or is used for driving or for generating temperaturein an electric component within the motor vehicle.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, there is a plurality ofcurrent-generating components 5 that each are formed flat orplate-shaped and are disposed on both faces of each cooling web 2,respectively. Viewed in the direction of the length of the cooling web2, on each face several individual current-generating components 5 arearranged and two immediately adjacently positioned current-generatingcomponents 5 are electrically connected to each other, respectively, byan electric contact bridge 6. As a result of this serial connection, ahigher electric potential is achieved that is available for storage orfor operating an electric component.

The cooling webs 2 are of a wave shape or undulated shape wherein theplate-shaped current-generating components 5 each are contacting theoppositely positioned peaks or valleys of the cooling webs 2,respectively, as shown in FIG. 1. In a further embodiment, indicated inFIG. 1 in dashed lines, the current-generating component 5 is embodiedas a laminate and is applied immediately onto the wall of the coolingweb 2. This has the advantage that the current-generating component 5covers a larger surface area that basically corresponds to the surfacearea occupied by the wave-shaped cooling web.

FIG. 2 shows a detail of the vehicle radiator 1 with a bus rail 7 thatserves for electrically connecting parallel-arranged individualcurrent-generating components 5. The electric contact 8 represents thenegative terminal (electric ground), the electric contact 9 the positiveterminal which, relative to electric ground, represents the electricpotential that is tapped at the bus rail 7 and is utilized for storagein the battery or for operating an electric component.

FIG. 2 a shows an embodiment variant of a cooling web 2 that formssimultaneously a current-generating component 5. The cooling web 2 iswave-shaped with a U-shaped profile and is comprised of three layers 10,11, 12 wherein the two outer layers 10, 11 expediently are made of lightmetal such as aluminum and the central layer or inner layer 12 iscomprised of a thermoelectric material. The outer layers 10, 11 ensurestability, on the one hand, while they also provide excellent heatdissipation, on the other hand; moreover, the thermoelectric inner layer12 is protected by the two outer layers 10, 11. A cooling web 2 that isembodied in this way as a one-part component together with thecurrent-generating component 5 no longer requires a separatecurrent-generating component.

The three-layer embodiment of the cooling web 2 or of thecurrent-generating component 5 has moreover the additional advantagethat a temperature gradient of two outer layers 10 and 11 relative tothe inner layer 12 can be utilized for current generation. In this wayit is possible to utilize the heat that is contained in the coolingstream on the first face as well as the opposite second face of thecooling web for current generation so that efficiency is increased.

FIG. 3 shows in a schematic illustration a motor vehicle 13 that in thefront area is provided with the vehicle radiator 1 comprised of severalindividual cooling elements 14 to 17. The individual cooling elements 14to 17 serve for cooling a cooling medium that is correlated with onecomponent or operating unit of the vehicle, respectively. For example,the vehicle radiator 1 comprises a servo oil cooling element 14, anair-conditioning cooling element 15, a charge air cooling element 16 aswell as a cooling water element 17. These individual cooling elementsare combined and integrated into the vehicle radiator 1.

Expediently, each one of the individual cooling elements 14 to 17 has atleast one current-generating element correlated therewith that utilizesthe temperature differential between the cooling medium in eachindividual cooling element and the ambient air for current generation.The electric potential (positive terminal) generated in total is storedin a battery 18 in the motor vehicle or can be used, for example, inassisting the drive action of an electric motor 19 that is used fordriving the rear wheels.

In FIG. 4 a further embodiment of a current-generating component 5 isillustrated which is embodied as a laminate and is applied onto theexterior wall of the cooling web 2. As a result of the flexibility of alaminate (optionally also a film or foil can be used in thisapplication), the current-generating component 5 can be applied onto theexterior wall of the cooling web 2 before shaping the cooling web 2 andcan then be shaped together with the cooling web 2.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 5 the cooling web 2 and thecurrent-generating component 5 are embodied as separate components. Thecurrent-generating component 5 is located at the base of a U-shaped waveof the undulated cooling web 2.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 6, the current-generating components5 themselves are embodied as cooling webs and are applied in a waveshape onto the cooling stream conduits 3. In this case, the valley andpeaks of oppositely positioned cooling webs engage each other as shown.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed in detail to illustrate the inventive principles, it will beunderstood that the invention may be embodied otherwise withoutdeparting from such principles.

1. A cooling device for an internal combustion engine of a motorvehicle, comprising: a current-generating component that is embodied asa thermoelectric generator and has a side facing a cooling streampassing through the cooling device, wherein the cooling streamdissipates heat generated by an operating unit of the motor vehicle;wherein the cooling device comprises a vehicle radiator; wherein saidcurrent-generating component is integrated into said vehicle radiator;wherein said current-generating component and a cooling web of saidvehicle radiator form a common assembly.
 2. The cooling device accordingto claim 1, wherein said cooling web forms said current-generatingcomponent.
 3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein saidcooling web is of a two-layer configuration comprising a first layer anda second layer, wherein said first layer is comprised of a light metaland said second layer is comprised of a thermoelectric material.
 4. Thecooling device according to claim 2, wherein said cooling web is of athree-layer configuration comprising an inner layer and two outer layersbetween which said inner layer is arranged, wherein said two outerlayers are comprised of a light metal and said inner layer is comprisedof a thermoelectric material.
 5. The cooling device according to claim1, wherein said current-generating component is a separate componentthat is contacting an exterior wall of said cooling web.
 6. The coolingdevice according to claim 5, wherein said current-generating componentis applied as a laminate onto said exterior wall of said cooling web. 7.The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein said current-generatingcomponent has a mirror-symmetrical configuration.
 8. The cooling deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said vehicle radiator comprises coolingstream conduits in which said cooling stream flows, wherein saidcurrent-generating component is arranged between two neighboring ones ofsaid cooling stream conduits.
 9. The cooling device according to claim1, wherein said cooling web is undulated.
 10. A motor vehicle comprisinga cooling device according to claim 1.